Lettering stamp guide



May 25,v 1959 F. JoHNsoN 2,887,780

LETTERING STAMP GUIDE Filed oct. 30.1956 2 sheets-sheet 1 May 26, 1959 F. JOHNSON 2,887,780

LETTERING STAMP GUIDE IN VEN TOR.

H United State Patent O LETTERING STAMP GUIDE Fred L. Johnson, Omaha, Nebr.

Application October 30, 1956, Serial No. 619,285

6 Claims. (Cl. 3.3-184.6)

This invention relates to lettering devices or guides and it is a particular object of my invention to provide an improved self-contained lettering outfit for printing name plates and the like.

Another object of my invention is to provide a lettering outfit making use of conventional mounted rubber lettering stamps combined with an ink pad which eliminates messy liquid inks and pens.

A further object of my invention is to provide a storage case as a part thereof which has an upward side provided with partitioned spaces for receiving the *lettering stamps and an ink. pad disposed below the stamps adapted to support them whereby the stamps are in continuous contact with the ink pad and ready for instant use. Another object of my invention is to provide a lettering outit having as a part thereof a lettering stamp guide assembly so constructed as to have a slidable stamp guide member having indicating means cooperative with markings on the surface of the guide to give proper spacing for each letter whereby even an inexperienced operator can turn out name plates or the like expediently and without difficulty.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lettering outfit wherein the ink pad is supported in the storage case in a manner allowing easy removal or replacement thereof simply by inverting the case and withdrawing the pad from its support.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide the storage case thereof with a chamber for receiving the stamp guide assembly when not in use and a cover enclosing the lettering stamps whereby the outt may be stored as a unit.,

Still another object of this invention is to provide the stamp guide assembly with means for supporting and holding the index strip or card to be printed so that the danger of the card moving out of alignment and misplacement of the letters is eliminated.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, drawings and claims, the scope of the invention not being limited to the drawings themselves as the drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a way in which the principles of this invention can be applied.

Other embodiments of the invention utilizing the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as ndesired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of my invention is shown:

Figure l is a top plan view of the lettering outfit of my invention with parts broken away for clarity;

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal cross section through the device taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

s Figure 3 is a vertical transverse cross section of the lettering outfit taken along the line 3--3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a top plan view ofthe lettering guide assembly of my invention; y

2,887,78ll Patented May 26, 1959 ice Figure 5 is a vertical transverse cross section through the lettering guide assembly taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4; e

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional View of only the card positioning stop of the lettering guide assembly taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 4; and

Figure 7 is a perspective View of one of the mounted rubber lettering stamps, used as a part of my invention.

The lettering outfit of my invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 and comprises a set of mounted rubber lettering stamps 12 including alphabetical, numerical and punctuation characters, a lettering stamp guide assembly 14 and a storage case 16.

The storage case 16 has a frame of substantially a rectangular shape in cross section having -two end walls 20, a rearward side wall 22, a bottom wall 24 and top wall 26. One side of the case 16 is left open at 18 for the purpose of providing access to a storage chamber 28 for the stamp guide assembly 14 as best seen in Figures 2 and 3.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that the top wall 26 has a rectangularly shaped opening 36 therethrough which has a plurality of partitions 38 extending both transversely and longitudinally thereacross defining a number of regularly divided spaces 4t) for receiving the lower end portions of the lettering stamps 12.

The lettering stamps 12 extend vertically downwardly through the spaces 40 and are supported upon an ink pad 50. The ink pad is normally horizontally disposed and supported by an ink pad support tray 52. The ink pad tray 52 is fastened to the underside of the top wall 26 by screws 56 or other suitable fasteners and depends therefrom in a position directly beneath the opening 36.

A cover member 60 Iis disposed above the top wall 26 and has a raised central portion 62 of a size proportionate to the opening 36.

The yraised portion 62 provides a concave underside which receives the upper end or linger grip portions of the lettering stamp l2.

The cover 60 has a normally horizontal flange 64 extending outwardly from the raised central portion 62 and encloses the surface of the top wall 26.

The cover 60 is removably secured to the top Wall 26 by any suitable means but as shown in the drawing comprises pins 70 and 72 which are iXed to the top wall 26 at either end thereof and extend a short distance vertically upwardly therefrom.

The pins 70 and 72 have enlarged heads and comparably sized apertures 74 and 76 are provided in the cover flange 64 at either end thereof.

Hooks are pivotally secured to the upper surface of the flange 64 by rivets S1.

Each of the hooks 8) is positioned adjacent to one of the apertures 74 and 76.

The hooks 80 are each further provided with a thumb gripping portion 82 for facilitating manipulation.

In securing the cover 68 on the case 16 the apertures 74 and 76 are placed over the pins 70 and 72 whereby the heads of the pins extend above the surface of the ange 64. When the apertures 74 and 76 are disposed about the pins 70 and 72 the hooks 80 are moved into engagement with the Shanks of the respective pins 70 and 72 and wedged beneath the enlarged head portions thereof whereby the cover is restricted from upward movement but easily removable by disengaging the hooks 80.

As mentioned previously a storage chamber 28 for the lettering guide assembly 16 makes up the lower portion of the case. The open side 18 providing access to the chamber 28 is normally closed by a cover member or door k90. ,'I'he door 90 has a marginal Aflange 92 which!- 3 latter engages against the marginal edge surfaces of the opening 1S when in a closing position.

The door has lock means to secure it in place comprising a shaft 94 rotatably mounted transversely through the door midway between the ends thereof and extends outwardly on each side thereof. A knob 96 is mounted on the outer end of the shaft and a latch member 98 secured on the inner end of the shaft 94. In Figure 3 the door 90 is shown in place and locked.

The latch lever 98 is of resilient material and the central portion thereof is bowed outwardly from the inner surface of the door 9) to a substantial degree.

The inner end of the shaft 94 has a square shank 100 for receiving a complementally shaped aperture (not shown) in the latch 98 whereby the latch 98 will revolve with the shaft 94. The inner end of the shaft 94 is provided with an enlarged end 162 for retaining the latch 98 thereon and for seating one end of a small compression spring 104 which is disposed between the end 102 of the shaft 94 and the rearward surface of the latch lever 98.

The door is locked in place by turning the knob 96; the latch lever 98 is rotated and the end portions of the lever 98 will engage in offset downwardly and upwardly opening recesses 166 and 108 disposed in the inner surfaces of the respective top and bottom wall 26 and 24.

As thus described, it will be seen that the spring 104 in cooperation with the latch lever 98 will urge the door 90 into tight engagement in the opening 18.

The lettering stamp guide assembly 14 which may be seen in Figures 2 and 3 in storage position is shown in detail in Figures 4, and 6.

The lettering stamp guide assembly comprises a rectangularly shaped normally horizontally disposed base 110 having a flat upper surface 112.

Two spaced apart bars 114 and 116 are secured to the upper surface of the base 110 by screws 115 or other suitable fasteners.

The bars 114 and 116 are disposed longitudinally of the base 110 and in spaced parallel relation to one another. The guide assembly is shown in Figure 4 in normal operating position and therefore the bar 114 will be hereinafter referred to as the front bar 114 and the bar 116 will be referred to as the back bar 116.

The front and back bars 114 and 116 respectively define a positioning and supporting area 118 for receiving a card 120 to be lettered.

To further maintain the card 120 in proper lettering position to prevent misalignment of or smearing of the lettering, the front and back bars are provided with card positioning surfaces 122 and 124 respectively overlapping the corresponding edge of the card 120 thereunder.

The card positioning surfaces 122 and 124 consist of elongated recesses extending the length of the bars at the lower edges thereof adjacent the surface 112 of the base and facing inwardly of the card positioning and supporting area 118. It will be seen that the positioning surfaces 122 and 124 engage the side edges of the card 120 and firmly hold it in a proper position for receiving lettering thereon.

A card positioning stop and hold down means 130 is disposed between the front and back bars 114 and 116 at right angles thereto and preferably at the left hand side of the device.

The stop 130 comprises an abutment 132 which restricts the inward movement of the card 120 into the positioning area 118 and a spring hold down means or resilient clamping member 134, best seen in Fig. 6, overlies and engages the upper surface of the respective end portion of the card 120 whereby the card 120 is securely held against the surface of the positioning area 118 in a desired position for lettering.

It will be seen that the back bar 116 is of a greater height than the front bar 114 and has an elongated uprightstamp guiding surface 133 disposed facing the card supporting area 118, a yhorizontal upper surface 136 and a downwardly and inwardly inclined rearward side 138 for a purpose later described.

A movable lettering stamp guide member 140 is slidably mounted on the back bar 116.

Referring to Figure 5 the stamp guide member 140 is of substantially an inverted U-shape in cross-section, the forward and rearward side portions of which extend downwardly over the back bar 116 whereby the forward and rearward side portions of the guide member 140 slidably grip the forward and rearward sides of the back bar 116, the rearward side portion of the guide member 140 being inwardly inclined in relation to the disposition of the rearward side of the bar 116 providing a securing member 141 whereby the guide member slidably engages about the bar 116, but is restricted in upward movement so that it may not be disengaged from the bar 116 in that manner.

The .stamp guide member 140 has an indicator 142 attached to the forward side portion at one end thereof and at a right angle thereto and extends outwardly across the card positioning and supporting area 118, its outer end being in meeting relationship to the upper surface of the front bar 114.

Indicia 144 representing letter spaces are printed, impressed or otherwise marked on the upper surface of the front bar 114 and in a manner whereby such indicia 144 are plainly visible to the operator.

rl`he indicia 144 begin with a dividing line 146 or 0 marking indicating the center of the available card surface area. The spaces defined by the indicia 144 are preferably sequentially numerical extending outwardly to the left hand side of the front bar 114 to the end of the printing surface of the card 120.

The stamp guide member 140 and specifically the indicator 142 thereof cooperates with the indicia 144 to make possible the positioning of the stamp guide member 140 relative to the spaces defined by the indicia 144 to insure correct and expedient lettering as will be explained in detail in the following description of operatron.

In operation, the cover 60 is removed by disengaging the hooks from the pins 70 and 72 whereby the cover 60 may be lifted free of the case 16 exposing upper end or finger gripping portions 150 of the lettering stamps 12.

The letter stamp guide assembly 14 is removed from its storage chamber 28 and placed before the operator. A ca rd to be lettered is then inserted in the card supporting and positioning area 118.

The lettering guide assembly of this invention allows the operator to letter a card simply and speedily and with well balanced placement on the card by first counting the number of spaces required in the copy figuring each letter except I as one space, one space between words and one-half space for the letter I and the punctuation characters. For the example illustrated in Figure 4 namely, John A. Doe, the name contains eight full letter spaces, two between-word spaces and one-half space for the period totaling nine and one-half spaces.

Each of the spaces, of which there are preferably twenty, defined by the indicia 144 represent one-half the lateral width of the letter characters.

Twenty spaces were chosen for the reason that it is not believed that any name runs more than twenty letters or spaces on the average.

When the number of spaces for the copy has been determined, as in our example nine and one-half, the stamp guide member is slidably adjusted along -the back bar 116 to a position whereby the outer end of the indicator 142 is aligned with the 91/2 marking on the face of the front bar 114.

'l`he stamp guide member is then held firmly in place while the operator with his free hand, withdraws a desrred one of the lettering stamps 12 from its stallior space 40 Iin the storage case 16. The lettering stamp is brought into position in the stamp Iguide whereby one side surface 150 and the rearward side surface 152 of the lettering stamp 12 are in slidable engagement with respective upright surfaces of the indicator 142 of the stamp guide member and the stamp guiding surface 133 of the back bar 116.

The lettering stamp 12 is then moved downwardly so that the character thereon is firmly impressed upon the card 120 whereupon it is returned -to` its proper space 40 in the storage case 16 and the character thereon again contacts the ink pad 50 and is automatically reinked.

Now the lettering stamp guide 140 is adjusted along the back bar 116 into a position for guiding the printing of the second letter.

To insure equal and balanced spacing between the letters, a letter spacing indicant 154 consisting of a mark or indentation on the upper surface of the stamp guide member 140 transversely thereof, and disposed a .short distance inwardly of that end of the guide 140 at which the indicator 142 is attached.

In spacing the succeeding letter, the stamp guide member 140 is moved along the back bar 116 until the letter spacing indican-t is aligned with the right hand side of the previously printed let-ter.

This procedure continues until the full line of lettering is completed.

After use -the lettering stamp guide assembly 14 is returned to its storage chamber 28 in the case 16 and the door 90 and cover 60 may be replaced for storage of the unit.

From the foregoing description, it is throught to be obvious that a lettering outt constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use, by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and Spirit thereof, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying `out my invention in practice, except as claimed.

I claim:

l. A lettering guide assembly comprising a base having an upper supporting surface for receiving thereon a card to be lettered, an elongated back bar attached to lthe upper side of said base alongside said card supporting surface, said back bar having on a first side thereof an upright elongated stamp guiding 4upper surface disposed at one side of said card supporting surface of said base, said back bar further having a lower upright iirst card positioning surface extending upwardly from said card supporting surface of said basefor maintaining a card to be lettered in a desired position with respect to said back bar, a front bar attached to the upper side of said base, said front bar having a second upright card positioning surface disposed opposite and spaced from said rst card positioning surface, stop means disposed between said bars and at one end thereof for engaging an inner end of a card to assist in positioning said end of said card, indicia means on said .guide assembly to indicate positions for letter spacing, and a slidable stamp guide member disposed across said card supporting area, means for slidably mounting said stamp guide member on said lettering guide assembly for lineal sliding movements longitudinally of said stamp guiding surface of said back bar, and indicator means on said slidable stamp guide member and positioned adjacent and cooperative with said indicia means to make possible positioning of said stamp guide member relative to said indicia.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which said indicator means is slidably mounted on said back bar.

3. The combination of claim 1 in which said back bar has an inwardly extending elongated surface below its upper edge and opposite said stamp guiding surface and extending longitudinally of said stamp guiding surface and in which said means for slidably mounting said stamp guide member comprises a securing member attached to said stamp guide member and slidable on said back bar and engaging and slidably gripping against said inwardly extending surface of said back bar.

4. The combination of claim 1 in which said stop means comprises a spring hold-down member.

5. The combination of claim 1 in which said indicia comprise successive members extending from a central point between the ends of said front bar and outwardly on at least one side.

6. A lettering guide assembly comprising a base having an upper supporting surface for receiving thereon a card to be lettered, an elongated back bar attached to the upper side of said base alongside said card supporting surface, said back bar having on a rst side thereof an upright elongated stamp guiding upper surface disposed at one side of said card supporting surface of said base, said back bar further having a lower upright first card positioning surface extending upwardly from said card supporting surface of said base for maintaining a card to be lettered in a desired position with respect to said back bar, a front bar attached to the upper side of said base, said front bar having a second upright card positioning surface disposed opposite and spaced from said rst card positioning surface, said second card positioning surface being disposed extending upwardly from said base card supporting surface, said front bar having a portion overlapping said second card positioning surface for holding the corresponding edge of a card thereunder, stop means disposed between said bars and at one end thereof for engaging an inner end of a card to assist in positioning said end of said card, indicia means on said guide assembly to indicate positions for letter spacing, and a slidable stamp guide member disposed across said card supporting surface, means for slidably mounting said stamp guide member on said lettering guide assembly for lineal sliding movements along said stamp guiding surface of said back bar, and indicator means on said slidable stamp guide member and positioned adjacent y and cooperative with said indicia means to make possible positioning of said stamp guide member relative to said indicia.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 316,268 Horner Apr. 21, 1885 530,304 Fowler et al. Dec. 4, 1894 830,188 Sternau Sept. 4, 1906 2,621,419 Wold Dec. 2l, 1952 

